Needs Improvement
#9004 of 9,533 schools in CA
Smythe Elementary
Elementary School · San Ysidro Elementary
1880 Smythe Ave., San Ysidro, CA 92173
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher
21.6:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In San Ysidro
#7 of 7
public schools
California elementary schools
#5,417 of 5,817
In district
#7 of 7
San Ysidro Elementary
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Smythe Elementary
Smythe Elementary is a regular public elementary school in San Ysidro, California, nestled in the larger city of San Diego. The school serves kindergarten through sixth grade with an enrollment of 561 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1, ensuring that each child receives some individual attention from their teachers. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Smythe Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.
Academically, the school has room for improvement; it currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 2.5 out of 10 and ranks at 9204th place among California's 9566 schools in terms of state ranking. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 19% across all grades, while the Math proficiency rate stands at 19%. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on further developing its academic programs to better support student growth.
Smythe Elementary sits in a bustling urban setting within San Ysidro, surrounded by the vibrant and diverse community of this southern California neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Smythe Elementary is 21.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Smythe Elementary — Students at Smythe Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from CA state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.2/10.
How Smythe Elementary Compares
See how Smythe Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 17.86% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 17.18% (2024).
Location
1880 Smythe Ave., San Ysidro, CA 92173
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Smythe Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ocean View Hills (rated 6.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby San Diego), which scores notably higher. Another option is La Mirada Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, George Nicoloff Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in San Ysidro, see our San Ysidro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| La Mirada Elementary San Ysidro | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Sunset Elementary San Ysidro | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Our Lady of Mount Carmel School San Ysidro | 0.5 mi | — |
| OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL San Ysidro | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| Los Altos Elementary San Diego | 0.6 mi | 5.5 |
| TACK INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY San Diego | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| TACK INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY San Diego | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| San Ysidro Middle San Ysidro | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Montgomery Middle San Diego | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| George Nicoloff Elementary San Ysidro | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Silver Wing Elementary San Diego | 1.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Willow Elementary San Ysidro | 1.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Juarez-Lincoln Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Howard Pence Elementary San Diego | 1.2 mi | 3.4 |
| Finney (Myrtle S.) Elementary San Diego | 1.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Vista Del Mar San Ysidro | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Southwest Middle San Diego | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Launch Virtual Academy San Diego | 1.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Montgomery Senior High San Diego | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Ocean View Hills San Diego | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 92173 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,865
Median Home Value
$521,800
Median Rent
$1,588/mo
Population
26,507
College Educated
11.4%
Homeownership
35.3%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
36.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Smythe Elementary has a median household income of $65,865. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $521,800, with a median rent of $1,588/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alvin S. Hatch Elementary Half Moon Bay, CA | 3.9 |
| Anderson Elementary Garden Grove, CA | 3.9 |
| Anna Kyle Elementary Fairfield, CA | 3.9 |
| Aspire Gateway Academy Charter Oakland, CA | 3.9 |
| Atherwood Elementary Simi Valley, CA | 3.9 |
| Bel Aire Park Elementary Napa, CA | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Smythe Elementary
What grades does Smythe Elementary serve?
Smythe Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Smythe Elementary?
Smythe Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 561 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Smythe Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Smythe Elementary is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Smythe Elementary rank in CA?
Smythe Elementary is ranked #9004 out of 9,533 schools in CA.
What is Smythe Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Smythe Elementary has a composite rating of 3.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Smythe Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smythe Elementary has 19.1% math proficiency and 19.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Smythe Elementary a charter school?
No, Smythe Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Smythe Elementary a Title I school?
No, Smythe Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Smythe Elementary?
67.6% of students at Smythe Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (114/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 561
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- San Diego County
- Phone
- (619) 428-4447
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
San Ysidro Elementary- District Enrollment
- 4,205
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,300
- District Rank
- #7 of 7
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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- Best Public Schools in California 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
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- Best Schools in San Diego, CA — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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